and Toxic Agents on the Amylolytic Action of Saliva. fe, 
In accord with Nasse’s result we see that 0°05 per cent. increases 
the amylolytic action of the ferment. This we verified by an addi- 
tional experiment which led to a like result, although not showing so 
great a difference as the preceding one; thus, while the saliva alone 
converted 23°72 per cent. starch into reducing bodies, the presence of 
0°05 per cent. of quinine sulphate led to the conversion of 24°58 per 
cent. of starch. Voit, as quoted by v. Boeck,* has stated that qui- 
nine is without influence on the ferment of saliva. 
Cinchonine sulphate. 
With this alkaloid, previous experiments have not to our knowl- 
edge been tried. Our results are as follows: 
Alkaloid salt. Wt. Cuin 4. rohaehin bedisek ghee acted: 
0 0°1358 gram. 02768 gram. 24°91 per cent. 
0°05 per cent. 071452 0°2960 26°64 
0°50 0°1455 0°2964 26°67 
2°00 071440 0°2936 26°42 
Cinchonidine sulphate. 
This alkaloid, like the cinchonine, shows a steady accelerating 
action on the ferment. 
Total amount Starch 
Alkaloid salt. Wt. Cu in 4. reducing bodies. converted. 
0 0°1358 gram. 0°2768 gram. 24°91 per cent. 
0:05 per cent. 0°1505 0°3068 a 2ugor 
0°50 0°1460 0°2976 26°78 
1-75 071498 0°3056 27°50 
The cinchona group of alkaloids thus show throughout an acceler- 
ating influence on amylolytic action, most pronounced in the case of 
cinchonidine. These alkaloids have long been known to prevent 
putrefaction and to check alcoholic fermentation and Binzt has 
demonstrated that this antiseptic action, in the case of quinine at least, 
is due to the poisonous influence exerted by the latter upon the fungi 
which are the immediate cause of the putrefactive changes. Couzen, 
moreover, has shown that the action of cinchonine on infusoria and 
on fermentation is similar to that of quinine, but weaker. Hence 
there is no similarity of action whatever, on the two kinds of fer- 
ments. 
* Zeitschrift fiir Biologie, vol. vii, p. 428. 
+ Virchow’s Archiv, vol. xlvi, 1869, p. 68. 
TRANS. Conn. AcaAD., Vou. VII. 10 Oct., 1885. 
